Temporary Sore Eyes for Better Sight – Is it Worth it?

To date, over 30 million people around the world have taken the plunge and gone ahead with Laser Eye Surgery. In fact, the treatment has become one of the most popular elective procedures worldwide, thanks to its relative safety and high likelihood of success. But many considering Laser Eye Surgery are understandably worried about the potential side effects, particularly the risk of pain during and following the procedure.

In this article, we ask: are temporary sore eyes worth it for the potential of years of uninterrupted, clear vision?

Will Laser Eye Surgery Be Painful?

“Does Laser Eye Surgery Hurt?“. This is one of the most common questions we are asked here at London Vision Clinic (and any other Laser Eye Surgery provider would likely say the same).

Thankfully, we can confidently say that patients shouldn’t feel any pain during the procedure itself. This is thanks to the use of anaesthetic eye drops, administered prior to your treatment, which numb the treatment area. Secondly, advances in the technology used during the procedure also minimise the risk of pain.

In modern Laser Eye Surgery, an ultra-precise femtosecond laser is used to gain access to the tissue beneath. In LASIK, this is done by creating a hinged flap in the corneal epithelium which can be closed again once the treatment is complete. For ReLEx SMILE, the laser creates a small incision in the epithelium through which corneal tissue can be removed.

In older procedures, a mechanical oscillating blade, called a microkeratome, was used to remove an area of epithelium or create the corneal flap. While this method is extremely safe when performed correctly, and is still used in some cases today, it increases the risk of irritation to the eye.

Bladeless Laser Eye Surgery procedures are now the most common. However, the treatment can feel a little strange and uncomfortable. Moreover, it is possible that you may experience some mild pain and discomfort in the hours and days following the procedure.

Sore Eyes After Laser Eye Surgery

Modern Laser Eye Surgery is a minimally invasive procedure that is typically completed in a matter of minutes. What’s more, it is considered one of the safest surgical procedures in the world, thanks to its low risk profile and high success rate. But it is important to remember that Laser Eye Surgery does involve removing tissue from the eye, and so side effects such as soreness should be expected as the eye heals.

That’s because the disruption to the tissues in the eye during Laser Eye Surgery will trigger an inflammatory response. This can cause swelling in the eyes as your body sends fluid to the treatment area to tackle potential infection. Disruption to the tear film can also cause dryness on the surface of the eyes which can contribute to further discomfort.

The good news is that discomfort after Laser Eye Surgery is usually easily managed with the help of over-the-counter painkillers such as paracetamol and ibuprofen, and lubricating eye drops (which also address any post-surgery dry eyes). These are provided as part of your aftercare package at London Vision Clinic, and you can request more at any time during your recovery!

The bottom line is, thanks to the latest advancements in Laser Eye Surgery methods and technology, pain and discomfort associated with the treatment is typically minimal.

Our past patient, Hirst Horsch, an investment banker from Germany was relieved to discover this for himself:

“It was better than I expected: no pain and very straightforward.” Three days and plenty of eyedrops later, Horsch, 37, was back at work in front of his computer screen. “Apart from a little burning just after the surgery, there was no pain… it was worth every penny. I wish I had done it earlier.“

If you’d like to learn more about your options for Laser Eye Surgery treatment or discuss any potential side effects of the procedure, get in touch with one of our friendly clinic coordinators today. Alternatively, Book a Consultation to find out if you could be suitable for Laser Eye Surgery.